France 1809-A 2 francs

Heritage sale 3082, lot 33733

from the Mountain Groan Collection

The first specimen was lot 33733 in Heritage sale 3082 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description^[1] noted, "France: Napoleon 2 Francs 1809-A MS62 PCGS, Paris mint. This charming Napoleonic double Franc displays an appearance not dissimilar to that of a Proof, the detailing throughout needle-sharp and set within particularly watery obverse steel blue fields, all surrounded by bold, well-defined rims." This type was struck 1809-14 during the reign of Napoleon I from numerous mints. The specimen shown is from Paris and is a slightly scarce date. It is priced^[2] about twice the commonest date (1811-A). Many issues of this type are known from a handful (<10) of examples. The type is not difficult to find but is expensive in high grade. All two francs issued prior to 1859, including this one, were demonetized in 1869 to make way for the succeeding issue which was only 0.835 fine.

Specification: 27 mm diameter, 10 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Recorded mintage: 468,863^[2].

Catalog reference: Gad-501, F.255/1, KM 693.1.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
• ^[2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Online Auction 3082, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.

Link to:

• 1808-A 2 francs
• 1808-B 2 francs
• 1808-L 2 francs
• 1808-M 2 francs
• 1808-MA 2 francs
• 1808-Q 2 francs
• 1808-W 2 francs
• 1809-A 10 centimes
• 1809-B 10 centimes
• 1809-I 10 centimes
• 1809-T 10 centimes
• 1809-A ¼ franc
• 1809-A ½ franc
• 1809-B ½ franc
• 1809-D ½ franc
• 1809-K ½ franc
• 1809-U ½ franc
• 1809-A franc
• 1809-B franc
• 1809-H franc
• 1809-W franc* 1809 2 francs, visit of the king of Saxony to the mint
• 1809-B 2 francs
• 1809-H 2 francs
• 1809-MA 2 francs
• 1809-Q 2 francs
• 1809-A 5 francs
• 1809-B 5 francs
• 1809-D 5 francs
• 1809-H 5 francs
• 1809-I 5 francs
• 1809-K 5 francs
• 1809-L 5 francs
• 1809-MA 5 francs
• 1809-U 5 francs
• 1809-W 5 francs
• 1809-A 20 francs
• 1809-K 20 francs
• 1809-H 20 francs d'or
• 1809-L 20 francs
• 1809-M 20 francs
• 1809-U 20 francs
• 1809-W 20 francs
• 1809-A 40 francs
• 1809-M 40 francs
• 1809-W 40 francs
• 1810-A 2 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1809
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